My system today is composed of pass labs xa30.5 amp and x1 pre amp and Tannot D700 speakers. All interconnect cabling is PAD Venustas (luminist rev). All power cabling is also PAD. Have LE to amp, and Canorus to pre. I'm thinking of trying some new speakers. I don't listen to music loud (mainly 8 - 10) on volume (out of 26). My music varies to everything but country ... sorry... lolSo i've noticed that my tannoy's seem harsh on top end, and would like a little more slam on low end.

Friend has Wilson Sophia's and loved them. Also liked magnepan, but not sure amp can power 3.7's.

I wouldn't base my choice of speaker on what type of cables you have. If you do a good job matching your components, you won't need to get expensive cables. I've owned speakers from both Wilson and Magnepan and they were OK. Actually, I still have a pair of Wilson's in my 2nd system. I can't tell you if you will like them, but I prefer Vandersteen. Overall, they work very well with Pass. Have a look at the Model 2 and 3's, and maybe the new trio. If you end up needing more bass, add a pair of their powered subs. The only thing I would caution is that with Vandersteen, opinions vary greatly. That's due mainly to people just getting their listening experience from reading reviews, as well as poor setup. Setup is critical if you want to hear what the speakers can really do. There's other good speakers, but that would be my first choice.

Fsyme, I also have owned the XA30.5 and Pass preamps. These are a fantastic pair to begin with. You didn't define what qualities you like best in the sound but your mention of Wilson said a lot right there. I agree with Zd542 that set up is very important and I add that speaker toe in and tilt must be spot on to get pinpoint imaging. My cabling is good but far from the best (Gabriel Gold Rapture). I have found the Harbeth Super HL5's to be exceptional in rendering a very accurate soundstage, with huge depth, detail, holographic imaging and accurate tone. They've got just enough sweetness and warmth and are not fatiguing at all. Their sensitivity would compliment your 30.5 very nicely and they sound fantastic at any volume too.

The XA30.5 is not the best option for Wilson Audio. Because they have a fast response. They work better with more amperes. I have owned the XA30.5, XA60.5, XA100.5, X250.5 and now the X350.5.

When you use a Purist Audio limited powercable the X250.5 will have a totally different sound compared during using another cable.

I always prefered the XA series, after I bought the Purist Audio Limited Edition it changed my thoughts. Because this powercable brings the mid fre. to a whole new level. Like your X series amp is sounding in the mid freq. like a XA series amp.

MIT is fully useless with Pass Labs. This is very easy to explain. The stage properties of Pass Labs is that the stage is wide and deep. But withing the big stage the individual focus of instruments is not sharp and realistic as it should be. So you need cables to adjust this. MIT have similar properties according to the stage.

In all the years that I visited a show often Pass Labs demos with MIT has nothing to do with realistic music. During a show I asked the person ( F. mongol) if Jacintha has a head of over 3 metres. So I asked him if she has a water head.

Audio is all about understanding music and each different property a tool owns. Because when you are not aware of these properties you never will understand what each tool does in your set!

I do use the limited direct into xa30.5 and yes its a huge diff. I think I remember you pointing me to demo PAD vs Siltech.. etc and they turned me into redoing my whole system. What would you suggest speaker wise for xa30.5

I really love the XA30.5. It even has a lot of grip for a small amp. But in the low freq. Wilson is not the easiest to be controlled. In the past I visited many Wilson owners with acoustic problems. With more current the Wilson spakers will be better controlled.

Room is 20 x 15. Vandersteen was mentioned above.. and will try check them out. So far Vandersteen, Focal and Harbeth on list to demo. Other ideas are Avalon, Legacy, Dynaudio ? Legacy has sens around 95.. but also ohms drop to around 3 in low freq. Anyways..

When you have a chance listen to the Pl-200 from Monitor Audio. because the timing and crossovers are first rate. With the X30.5 you will get a stunning 3 dimensional stage. You can play far behind the speakers. And also beside the spakers. In timing and speed they are faster than their competitors. The low and mid freq. units are made of ceramics and alluminium. Theur ribbontweeter is superior in the high freq. compared to dynaudio and B&W. Beside this their ribbon tweeter can give a much sharper individual focus of instruments and voices compared to speakers with dometweeter.

Every single brand has a different way how the stage is being buil, different sound and a different sharpness in individuel focus. PAD is exeptional in the most open mid I tested in 17 years of time. But beside this they are also exeptional in blacks and a very sharp and realistic individual focus what I call intimate sound. The story that they are highly coloured it the remark of a F. amature. So Fsyme don't take this amature too serious. Your cables are great!!